NRA Rifle & Shotgun Instructors Course

[Teky0101 6]

Hello Everyone,

I recently saw where Banger's Sport Shop is going to offer the NRA Rifle & Shotgun Instructors course. I am very interested in taking this class to become an NRA Certified Instructor. Has anyone taken these courses in the past? If so, what does the course cover and what is needed to pass the course? Is there anything I need to prepare for ahead of time such as field skills tests, written exams exc? They also require another course before taking the shotgun and rifle courses called the BIT test. Does anyone know what is covered? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Melgamatic 66]

You need to take and pass the Basic Instructors course before you can take any other discipline-specific instructor course.  Pistol, shotgun, rifle are all one full day courses each which require BIT as a prerequisite.  Each course has a written test you must pass but are quite easy if you pay attention.

 

Each discipline has a minimum shooting skill requirement.  You can quickly google them.  They are hard enough that a beginner won't pass, but shouldn't be a problem if you are an experienced shooter.  I did practice a few times before each course with the exact test requirements to make sure it wouldn't be a problem.  

 

For pistol, you need to put most of 20 shots into a 9" circle at 15 yards, and the group needs to be 6" max.  There is a point system.

For rifles, similar test.  You can google to find the exact requirements.

 

For each course you also need to know about all the different action types, how to clear all different kinds of malfunctions, etc.

 

I took all my courses at Gun For Hire, and they were fantastic.

[MedicYeti 96]

BIT is Basic Instructor Training which covers the NRA methods of firearms instruction. The NRA uses a "learn, do, teach" model where students reinforce what they have learned by helping teach other students. I'm an NRA pistol and shotgun instructor; the class goes over the different types of firearms and the basics of shooting. You need to have a basic understanding at the different actions of firearms, loading and unloading and how to safely handle firearms. There is a written test and a practical evaluation.

Example: when I teach a basic pistol class I use the NRA instructors guide to remind me to cover everything. We do a lot of dry fire and handling of the unloaded firearms in a classroom setting. We go to the range and practice, I teach each student then let them pair up and shoot, looking at each other and being able to see what the other is doing; all while I watch and interject when needed.

I'll have to check bangers site, I want to do rifle instructor.

[Genewarper111 18]

Being an NRA instructor is a lot of fun and not only fulfilling but a way to really influence shooters old and new in a way that emphasizes safety and fun. All the lessons focus on "Knowledge, Skills and Attitude" as applied to the shooting discipline in question.

 

At ScotShot, we are running the BIT and Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun between now and the end of the year. We believe in letting people understand and prepare properly rather than rushing through; you can read about our courses and sign up directly, here:

http://www.scotshot.com/instructor.html

 

Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.

[Teky0101 6]

Hello Everyone,

Thank you very much for the advice, I really appreciate it! I was curious does the class provide the firearms you are going to teach on or do you bring your own? There are so many different rifle/shotgun setup's including iron sights, red dots, fiber optics, scopes exc. Its hard to know how to practice for the class. If applicable does anyone know the types of rifles/shotguns provided for these courses for the field test? Is there any study guides I can look up for these tests before taking the class? Also how does it work with legality for training a student? Should you use your own guns to teach them or should you use theirs? What happens if there is an accident from either party? Thank you for any help you can provide.

[MedicYeti 96]

I carry NRA instructor insurance just in case. I like to teach the "basic" class as opposed to the "first steps" classes. First Step teaches a student about one specific gun; someone buys a gun and only wants to use that gun then the first steps is the best. Basic goes over different guns. I encourage students to bring their guns if they have any but we start with my 22/45. I provide guns and ammo in the cost of my classes; but you get to decide and set your price. I enjoy teaching and getting people into the sport; I do the classroom portion at my home and use my club for the range portion so my overhead is low (materials and ammo) which keeps my class prices low.

When I did the shotgun instructors class students were asked to bring different types of shotguns so we were familiarized with single shot, pump, bolt, saiga semi and traditional semi autos as well as side by side and over under. Between myself and the others we had it all covered. When I teach shotgun I only have pumps and single shots, sometimes I can borrow others from friends but I usually just use the 20ga pump for shooting.

Every instructor will be a little different and every class will be a little different.

[Genewarper111 18]

With the exception of the "FIRST Steps" courses, and the Personal PRotection ones, NRA courses generally require that the Instructor (for student courses) or the Training Counselor (for Instructor-level courses) provides all necessary firearms and ammunition. So, if you attend an Instructor course, you should expect that all necessary firearms, in all covered actions, are provided. If you attend a "Basic" student course, the same applies, and ammunition should be provided in either case. Bear in mind however that this may simply be 22, and one shotgun guage. At ScotShot, we start with 22 and then use 9, 38 special, 40 and 45 for handgun, and 22, 223/556, 243 and 308 for rifle, depending on the student. We encourage students to bring their own firearms, but usually only "bring them out" once the class requirements have been met with 22.

 

All Instructors should have Insurance and as noted above, the NRA Insurance is very good value. I use it for ScotShot. Because I teach a lot, I created ScotShot as an LLC and wouldn't ordinarily bring students to my home, nor go to a student's home. ScotShot teaches out of Fort Dix, which is an excellent facility and has a lot of advantages.

 

As an Instructor, you'll learn the importance of involving students in all aspects of the lesson, and of following the lesson plan. As I said before, you'll find being an Instructor very fulfilling and I'd encourage you to go for it. The community needs motivated Instructors.

 

Very best

G